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Cooking Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats is a simple and easy process. When it comes to creating a hearty breakfast, quick-cooking steel-cut oats is the way to go! Add your favorite toppings and a little bit of natural honey sweetness!
Long gone are the days when you have to “patiently” stir steel cut oats on the stovetop for half an hour. Being able to cook oatmeal, especially steel cut that takes longer to cook, in the Instant Pot will save you so much time, energy, and stress!
why you’ll love this instant pot oatmeal
- Minimal work and effort to create a hearty breakfast meal or to meal prep.
- No tedious stirring of oats on the stove.
- The perfect way to let everyone add their own toppings.
Ingredients to make steel cut oats
- Steel cut oats: Make sure that you’re not using quick oats or rolled oats/old fashioned oats for this recipe. The recipe amounts and timing is written for steel cut oats only.
- Milk: Use regular milk, almond milk or any other plant based milk you like. This is used along with the water to cook the oats.
- Coconut oil: The coconut oil is optional in this recipe but it does make it more creamy. You can also use a dab of butter.
- Seasonings: Simple seasonings like cinnamon and salt are all you’ll really need.
How to cook Steel cut oats in instant pot
- Add the oats, water, milk, salt, cinnamon and coconut oil, if you’re using into the Instant Pot.
- Stir together the ingredients.
- Place on the lid and cook according to the recipe steps fully listed in the printable recipe below.
- Serve and add your favorite oatmeal toppings.
Tips for making instant pot oatmeal
- Make sure you’re only using steel cut oats. The recipe is specifically written for steel cut oats, not quick oats or rolled oats which require different amounts of liquid and timing.
- Follow the steps when using your Instant Pot. Don’t rush the process and be careful when using your Instant Pot especially when venting the instant pot.
- Adjust the liquid. The ratio of the steel cut oats to the liquid is 1:3. However, I often will increase that to 1:4. So for the 2 cups of steel cut oats, I will add 6 cups of water and 2 cups of milk. It’s more creamy that way. But know that you can always.
- Add fruit into the instant pot. You can use frozen fruit like strawberries or fresh fruit like bananas that melt into the steel cut oats, naturally sweeten and make the oatmeal ready to go so there’s no need to worry about toppings – perfect for on-the-go breakfast!
toppings quick steel cut oats
I actually have an oatmeal drawer full of toppings to use when making stovetop oatmeal, overnight oats or this steel cut instant pot oatmeal. It makes each bowl of oatmeal feel unique and I can switch toppings around for myself and kids, especially as the seasons change.
- Fresh fruit. Toppings like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and diced apples taste great on oatmeal.
- Dried fruit. Adding dried fruit like craisins and raisins adds delicious sweetness and chew.
- Shredded coconut. You can use sweetened or unsweetened!
- Sweetener: Add little bit of brown sugar gives a huge boost of flavor. You can also opto of honey or maple syrup.
- Chocolate: From mini chocolate chips to chocolate chunks and chocolate shavings, all type of chocolate would be so decadent with a bowl of warm steel cut oatmeal.
- Yogurt: For more creaminess, try adding a dollop of full fat regular or flavored yogurt or plant-based yogurt like almond milk yogurt or coconut yogurt.
- Nuts and nut butters: You can try walnuts, pecans, almonds and cashews or a dollop of peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or any other type you like.
- Seeds: Chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds or even sunflower butter.
how to reheat & store instant pot oatmeal
If there is any oatmeal leftover, you can easily reheat it in the microwave. I do recommend adding in a bit more liquid when you’re reheating so that it won’t dry out in the process.
how long will instant pot oats last in the fridge?
Once it’s cooked and been stored in the fridge, you can enjoy the oatmeal for up to 5 days.
can i freeze cooked steel cut oats?
No. I wouldn’t recommend it. This recipe is best made fresh and enjoyed as soon as possible. Since it takes just minutes to make, make a small batch so that you can enjoy it without the worry of making too much.
how to reheat leftover oatmeal
To reheat, just add the leftover portion to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat it. Make sure that you stir it after reheating as there will be parts of the oatmeal that are hotter than others.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, they’re also referred to as pinhead oats as well. It’s really about the process in how the oats are cut down.
The way that they’re processed and the texture are the main differences. Old fashioned oats are a bit more flat and don’t tend to have as much “chew” to them.
Adding a bit more milk or liquid can help your oatmeal become less sticky and mushy. Always start with just a little bit and then add more as needed.
When it comes to making a winning breakfast for kids and adults, your Instant Pot comes through with a win! Making homemade oatmeal gives great options for everyone to add their favorite toppings.
More oatmeal recipes:
- Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups
- Breakfast Quinoa Oatmeal
- Protein Oatmeal with Bananas
- Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Beef & Broccoli
- Vegetable Beef Soup Instant Pot
If you try this feel good Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel cut oats
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil optional
- Toppings of choice
Instructions
- Place the oats, water, almond milk, cinnamon, salt, and coconut oil, if using, in a 6-quart Instant Pot and stir to combine.
- Place the lid on and move the valve to sealing. Press pressure cook and set the timer to 4 minutes high pressure. You’ll notice the Instant Pot will start to come to pressure first and then the timer will begin. It can take 8-10 minutes to come to pressure.
- When the cook time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure. Carefully open and remove the lid.
- Stir the oats and add more water or milk if the mixture looks too thick, keeping in mind that they will continue to thicken as they cool. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
The swirl of coconut oil does the trick! This is my go-to recipe for instant pot steel cut oats!!!
So happy you like the recipe, Camille! I love the coconut oil too, it makes all the difference!
Made this over the weekend – it was great! When it was ready, it was a little thin, but as it cooled down it became thicker. We had leftovers that have been very helpful and yummy to microwave in the morning. Thank you!
You’re so welcome!
After this last comment, of someone using regular milk and the instant pot burning, should I be using almond milk vs skim milk or 1% which I would usually use to cook it in the microwave.
I just like the 5 days, oatmeal I feel could be very helpful solution for me, and my daughter.
What is your advice regarding this.?
I would stick with the almond milk, but both should still work. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
I used regular milk and the instant pot is beeping at me and is displaying food burn. Do almond milk & regular milk behave fifteenth in the IP?
They should behave the same in the Instant Pot!
Hi! Do you add chia, flax and hemp seeds during the pressure cooking time or after as I’ve read different people suggest different ways
Thanks
You can either add it right away when all together, or after you do the quick release, or I sometimes just sprinkle it as toppings once it’s served.